Horta - General Info
Where is Horta?
Faial is the most westerly of the central group of Azorean Islands and Horta is located on its SE coast. Faial is the smallest of the three “Triangle Islands”. It has one of the main airports in the Azores and Horta itself owes its importance to its sheltered harbour (with protection from winds of all directions), making it the most popular stopover port with transient yachts and the best for yachting facilities.
The town has several beautiful old buildings, and the island is dotted with white or pastel-colored cottages, their square windows outlined in blue. A common sight are the rows of blue hydrangeas, originally introduced from China and now a signature of the Azores.
Almost every concrete wall and surface in the port here is covered with paintings done by boats that have stopped over. It is tradition to leave a painting behind (and your paint if you have any left) to commemorate your voyage.
The volcanic eruption of 1957 is well documented in the cruising guides when the volcano at Capelinhos appeared out of the sea, engulfing the lighthouse and resulting in over 50 percent of the population leaving. The Island also suffered a major earthquake in 1998, measuring more than 6 on the Richter scale, severely damaging many buildings.
Entrance Notes and Cautions
- The harbor can’t be seen until the last headland is cleared. Steer a course for the end of the southern breakwater. Once around this, the marina breakwater and reception berth can easily be seen.
- Take care with fishing boats exiting the harbor at speed.
- At night during the summer there are likely to be a number of yachts at anchor off the southern end of the marina, probably unlit.
- The marina does not pre-book berths, its strictly first come first served, excluding any emergencies.
- If using an agent, they may be able to make an early request for space and particular berth, mainly for larger boats.
- The reception and fuel dock quay has at least 3.5m water depth at low tide.
Cruiser Highlights
The little town of Horta has long been a meeting point for transatlantic yachties, with Peter’s Café Sport the centre of attention. The Café celebrated its 50th birthday in 2018. It was quite a modest affair in the beginning but is now a large and thriving business, incorporating whale-watching, bicycle hire, a retail outlet and a scrimshaw museum. The protected harbour offers showers, wash/dry machines and Wifi.
Useful Contacts
- Marina: +351 292 391 693, E-mail: marinahorta@portosdosacores.pt, VHF Ch. 09/16
- Peter Café Sport: +351 914 943 610 – Peter Café Sport Facebook page.
- Mid Atlantic Yacht Services: mays@mail.telepac.pt- MAYS facebook page
Position
38°32.1’N, 28°37.18’W (harbor entrance)
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Port Navigation
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We would really recommend Miguel and Pia from ‘The Sailing Workshop’ for any engineering and boat work in Horta. We are towards the end of a four year circumnavigation and having used “The Sailing Workshop” in June 2025, we would thoroughly recommend their services. They arranged the purchase and delivery of a new Hurth/ZF gearbox from Holland for our Oyster 55 at a very reasonable cost and finished the job quickly, tidily and efficiently. They turn up exactly when they say they will and nothing is too much trouble. Miguel and Pia are great examples of how a marine business should be run. WhatsApp +351 965500018
We arrived from St. Marteen, after 22 days sailing trip. Called them Channel 9. Some person from the Marina tould us to anchor at the entrance of the harbour, to do the COVID test on board. Nobody can land without this. Next day we were informed everithing is Okay. Again more paper work. We have to pass inmigration checkout, even if your passport is from the Eurozone.
Next day more papers. We are now leaving to the continent. We paid 30 euros for staying at the anchor área two days. So we sail away …
The welcome here by everyone concerned has been quite remarkable. The harbour authorities have worked tirelessly with great patience in the face of a never ending stream of yachts arriving after long passages. Peter’s Cafe Sport too have gone beyond expectations by visiting boats under quarantine and doing shopping for them by going off to the supermarket and working late into the night to deliver food, water, gas and restaurant quality meals. The process of testing for Covid19 has been well organised by the Maritime Police and Health Authority with results available within 24 hours.
Jobiska has been one of the beneficiaries of the kindness of the wonderful Azorean people. We have great memories of these islands from 2 previous visits but had not really appreciated just how lucky we are to have these islands, an essential stopover for the trans Atlantic sailor, inhabited by such kind and caring people.
Azores 20190731
Faial – Horta
SY Belissima/FR/La Rochelle
Checking in Horta this month we had to pay 70€ to the Buoy and Lighthouses Association (?)
Some boats as us had to pay and others not (?)
Azores 20190731
Faial
Horta marina
SY Belissima/FR/La Rochelle
We were very pleased to meet good professional services in Horta Marina with a group of services managed by Harry SCHANK of Good@Wood Shipwrights especially for mechanic, Gelcoat, Inox welding.
Harry is very helpful and efficient 7/7, speaking English, Dutch, German. He arrived ten years ago and knows everybody here.
Marina da Horta
9900 Horta – Faial Grisu – PB – 36 (Azores)
Phone +351 922 169 233
Email : grisu1969@hotmail.de
Site http://www.goodatwood.eu
Laundry service here is provided by Mr Santos and his wife Rosa Maria. He collects and delivers from the marina most days. Contact details LAVANDARIA DA ROSA – Mobile: 962821723. Excellent service and much easier than walking the whole length of the marina.
Report by RCC Pilotage Foundation:
WARNING: We had some very useful insight from Tony Dudman regarding anchoring in the Azores. Having been told by the marineiro ashore in Horta to anchor until the office opened, they anchored with a tripping line but later couldn’t get the anchor up. Another boat abeam also had problems freeing themselves and a couple ashore said they too had got snagged the day before.
They eventually needed a diver to release them, who informed them that patch of the harbour had disused anchors and chain left over from ship manoeuvres. Be careful or avoid anchoring in this area.